As Formula One prepares to celebrate the 1,000th round of the world championship, a number of the sport's leading figures have spoken to the FIA's AUTO magazine, not only reflecting on its past but its future.

Alain Prost, four-time world champion, and arguably one of the finest drivers to grace the sport believes it should focus less on technology and more on ingenuity.

"We are in a period where we have a lot of technology, a lot of data," says the Frenchman. "That technology is fantastic, and for the major engine manufacturers, it's very good, as there is more and more a link between society and competition.

"Having said that, if we talk about the future direction of the sport, then in my opinion, we should go towards a Formula 1 where there is more ingenuity, where we have more surprises, more strategic possibilities," he adds.

"We need to make the sport more human... drivers, engineers," he continues. "We need to accent the human side, and maybe focus a little bit less on technology.

"Of course we need to have that extreme engineering," he admits, "but I think we need to have more of a balance. Then I think Formula 1 will be a little bit more understandable for people outside of the sport."

"The move towards hybrid power is correct," says Ferrari legend Mauro Forghieri, "but I'd like more real overtaking, and the only way to achieve that is to get rid of DRS, which I detest, reduce aerodynamic downforce and put all the innovation into an area that falls within the wheelbase.

"That way there would be less turbulence and fewer obstacles during the overtaking phase," he adds. "Then I'd remove a lot of the rules regarding engines, allowing for more imagination... a case of live and let live... flower power, more than hybrid power, perhaps."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by TokyoAussie, 10/04/2019 3:30

"Ingenuity is harder to achieve when using ever more standard parts. I hate standard parts that last forever. Nothing breaks."

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2. Posted by Mig, 09/04/2019 23:47

"The Professor is right, more ingenuity less technology.... Also get rid if DRS and increase horsepower."

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3. Posted by Uffen, 09/04/2019 22:48

"That was the FW15C, meatball, but in any case, a driver always wants to drive the best, even if they might not like the team, the tech, the boss or anything else. I am not saying this was Prost's view in 1993, but as a general rule "you drive the best car you can."
I agree with Prost, too much tech and the rules are too restrictive. Maybe if the cost cap works the FIA can loosen the rules a little. "

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4. Posted by meatball, 09/04/2019 18:52

"Says the guy who raced the FW16C. I don't disagree with the sentiment but Williams were MILES ahead with the Technology they had in the day and that is why they secured Prost to race for them."

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5. Posted by GrahamG, 09/04/2019 13:28

"Totally agree, the emphasis should be on ingenuity and innovation. Current approach is to ban anything and everything which is new or unusual which places success in the hands of those with massive budgets to achieve miniscule aero advantages."

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6. Posted by alvarezh3, 09/04/2019 13:03

"@klmn

"Team bosses don't want a change".

Specially those that work for teams with big pockets. Certainly easier to compete against two other teams than the whole field, isn't it?

Three teams competing for the podium, while the other seven spread around the track to fill the empty space.

You constantly read how drivers are badged as egotists. This judgement is most likely to be true than not. But, at the end of a season, I wonder who would take home the grand prize, one of the drivers or one of their bosses!"

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7. Posted by klmn, 09/04/2019 11:34

"We have seen this before , teambosses don't want a change , remember a few years ago when Patrick Head and a study group came with the proposal to get rid of the flat bottom to create less sensitive downforce . Too expensive was the reaction. OMG"

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8. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 09/04/2019 11:14

"Everybody is on the same page until it comes to making the rules to make it happen."

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Prost: Less technology, more ingenuity

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